Pediatric Level-1 Academic Year

PL-1s can expect to develop both the clinical and technical skills needed to diagnose and treat illnesses and disease in infants, children and adolescents.

As the requirements for the residency curriculum are changing for all programs across the country, St. Chris pediatric residents will have new, exciting and valuable opportunities throughout their education. In addition to an already successful curriculum in primary care, pediatric residents will have a greater opportunity to care for children with special healthcare needs and the capability to shape their own third year continuity experience. Also, categorical residents will have the opportunity to participate in six units of individualized curriculum focused on the career and educational goals of the resident.

Orientation (2 weeks)
PL-1's undergo a paid, 2-week orientation during which they participate in the Pediatric Advanced Life Support Training Program (PALS) as well as Neonatal Advanced Life Support Training Program (NALS). You will also become familiar with the inner-workings of the program and the hospital and participate in various class bonding activities.

Inpatient (16-20 weeks)
First-year residents spend approximately 5-6 months on inpatient pediatric services and care for six to 10 patients daily. He or she has the primary responsibility for day-to-day care of patients, as well as for coordination of subspecialty and consultative services. PL-1's are also vital in the education of 3rd year medical students from Drexel University and Temple University. Patient progress is discussed daily at work rounds led by the senior resident. Attending teaching rounds are held at least three times weekly.

Night Shift (Up to 6 weeks)
Each PL-1 spends up to 6 weeks per year (1 week at a time) on the night shift team in place of "traditional"' q4 call schedule. During inpatient rotations, the PL-1 is paired with a second or third-year resident supervisor. Fellows and attendings are also available 24 hours a day. The night shift intern arrives at 6:30 p.m. for handoff and leaves at 8:30 a.m. the next morning from Sunday night through Friday night. Weekends are free while on night shift...and so are meals!

NICU (4 weeks)
The PL-1's experience takes place at St. Christopher's Hospital and at Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH) NICU, an off-site, Level 3, 22-bed nursery staffed by St. Christopher's faculty.

While at the HUH NICU, residents will attend all high-risk deliveries. While at St. Christopher's, residents will gain exposure to neonates requiring surgical care and acutely ill neonates including those requiring ECMO. This is an excellent rotation for adding new patients to your continuity clinic patient panel. PL-1's participate in day shifts as well as shifts on the weekends.

Newborn Nursery (4 weeks)
PL-1's on this rotation will attend all deliveries and learn how to manage and screen newborns. In addition, PL-1 residents aid in the education of medical students and parents. This is another great place to pick up new patients for your continuity clinic patient panel.

SCU/Jeopardy (4 weeks)
Residents receive informative daily lectures on diagnosis and management of acutely ill patients. Half of this 4-week rotation will be spent at St. Christopher's Special Care Unit where PL- 1's learn to care for children with acute and chronic illnesses. Residents will work in the only dedicated pediatric burn center in Philadelphia. Shifts include 12-hour day shifts and shifts over the weekend. The other half of this rotation consists of ER shifts while being "available" for sick residents.

Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
During this rotation, the PL-1 will learn how to diagnose and manage acutely ill patients. PL-1 will have ample opportunity for procedures during their ER block.

General Pediatrics Clinic (4 weeks)
Beyond the weekly experience in continuity clinic, PL-1s rotate for four weeks in an onsite general outpatient pediatrics office, receiving comprehensive exposure to primary care pediatrics. The resident sees a number of scheduled ill visits and is available by telephone to provide faculty supervised advice and consultation to parents for the ambulatory practice during daytime office hours. This is another excellent place to add new patients to your continuity clinic patient panel.

Continuity Clinic (1/2 day weekly)
Each PL-1 participates in his or her own continuity clinic, an ongoing responsibility throughout the three-year training program. In this role, the resident serves as the primary physician for a group of pediatric patients, with supervision and consultation by attending faculty. The goal of the PL-1 is to see at least four patients during each session and prepare at least one 25-minute pre-clinic talks for the year (talks are usually scheduled after the new calendar year).

Advocacy (2 weeks)
The Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy rotation consists of a two-week block during your PL-1 year where residents will visit several non-medical settings to gain appreciation for how these organizations contribute to the well-being of children and families. Residents engage in community outreach and will appreciate the external (social, economic, political, environmental, cultural and spiritual) determinants of children's health. During this rotation, residents also will identify an unmet need that could materialize into a mandatory longitudinal advocacy project. Most importantly, residents will gain the skills to become more competent advocates for children and will conceptualize how to partner with community-based organizations to help every child reach his or her potential.

General Surgery (1 week)
Here the PL-1 is introduced to pediatric surgical issues by attending surgical rounds and conferences, outpatient surgical clinic, and surgical procedures. This rotation also serves as an introduction to our excellent pediatric surgical colleagues.

Procedure (1 week)
During the procedure rotation, the PL-1 has the opportunity to learn many of the procedural skills needed in the field of pediatrics. These include IV placement, intubation, blood draws, and procedural sedation. In addition, they work extensively in the simulation lab experiencing virtual clinical scenarios through simulation.

Elective (4 weeks)
The PL-1 will have a choice of electives in a variety of disciplines. This month may be used to improve knowledge in a particular discipline and facilitate gaining early exposure to a potential fellowship field.

PL-1 retreat (2 days)
The PL-1 year also includes a two-day off site retreat. The purpose of the retreat is to promote mutual support and a spirit of cooperation, and to encourage reflection on the goals and methods of the training program. It is also the only time of the year (besides orientation) where every member of the PL-1 class is off duty, which allows for some excellent bonding time.

Vacation (3 weeks + 1 week scheduled break between 1st and 2nd year)
All vacation time is paid and is provided in one week blocks. The one-week break is nice because all of your classmates have the same time off. Some residents have used this time to take vacations together.